Method and system for video parameter analysis and transmission

ABSTRACT

A system for analyzing video signals generated by an imaging modality is disclosed. The system includes a video signal input port to which a signal output of the imaging modality being can be connected. Additionally, there is a central processor that includes an analog input module, a signal analysis module, and a data communications module. A plurality of video signal parameters may be measurable from the video signal by the signal analysis module. The system also includes a data output port that is linked to the data communications module of the central processor, which is connectable to an external device for transferring the measure signal parameters thereto.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

Not Applicable

STATEMENT RE: FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH/DEVELOPMENT

Not Applicable

BACKGROUND

1. Technical Field

The present invention relates generally to video signal analysis, andmore particularly, to methods and systems for analyzing and transmittingvideo signal parameters from arbitrary signal sources of imagingmodalities including medical devices.

2. Related Art

As a general matter, the display of video on conventional displaydevices involves electrical signals that sweep or scan across the fieldof the screen one line at a time, with the amplitude at a given point intime being representative of the instantaneous brightness atcorresponding location on the screen. The picture may be interlaced,where each frame is divided into two fields that are each scannedseparately, or progressive, where all of the horizontal lines in thefield are scanned in a single pass. There are a number of ways tostructure the signal to provide different display characteristics suchas resolution, frame rate, aspect ratio, color space, and the like. Thesignal is segregated into multiple parts, with each part correspondingto a different type of display information. These signaling systems wereoriginally developed for analog cathode ray tube (CRT) devices, thoughthe principles are equally applicable to more modern technologies suchas liquid crystal displays (LCDs), plasma display panels, light emittingdiode (LED) displays, organic light emitting diode (OLED) displays, andso forth.

In order to properly display the video, it is necessary for the displaydevice to be coordinated with the device generating the video signal.Certain key parameters must be matched between the generating device andthe display device. Because broadcast television sets are manufacturedby a wide variety of companies different from those manufacturing thesignal generators, a number of standards have been developed andpromulgated to ensure compatibility. For example, television sets usedin the United States, Japan, and a few other countries conform to theNational Television System Committee (NTSC) standard, while Europeancountries and certain others conform to the Phase Altering Line (PAL)standard. Additionally, computer display devices similarly have variousstandards such as Video Graphics Array (VGA), eXtended Graphics Array(XGA), and the like.

Electronic displays are frequently utilized in medicalimaging/diagnostic systems. There are various such imaging modalities,including Computed Tomography (CT), Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI),catheterization imaging, Computed Radiography (CR), Positron EmissionTomography (PET) and other nuclear medicine diagnostic systems, andultrasound. Because the display devices were typically developed inconjunction with the imaging modalities, it was unnecessary to developdisplay standards as with broadcast video and computer systems.Accordingly, there are a vast number of presently deployed imagingmodalities that have different, undocumented video signal parameters.Furthermore, there is no known compilation of all of the video signalparameters for all of existing imaging modalities.

When the display devices connected to these imaging modalitiesmalfunction, it is often difficult to select a suitable replacementdevice because of the unknown video signal parameters. Furthermore, asmore advanced display devices become more widely available relative tothe older CRT devices, there has been an industry trend to replace suchlegacy components with newer alternatives such as, for example, LCDdisplays. But again, because of the lack of complete and accurateinformation for the video signal parameters of the imaging modalities, acomponent upgrade program has been difficult to manage. Conventionally,the output signal from the imaging modality must be analyzed with anoscilloscope in a time-consuming process, which requires a qualifiedon-site technician. In the alternative, the legacy display device may besent to a maintenance center, whereupon it is examined to ascertain theunknown video signal parameters in a lengthy trial-and-error procedure.With the aforementioned upgrade programs, a video scaler may beprogrammed and attached to the imaging modality to drive the new LCDdisplay, but the need to ascertain the appropriate video signalparameters still remains. Accordingly, there is a need in the art for animproved method and system for video parameter analysis andtransmission.

BRIEF SUMMARY

According to one embodiment of the present invention, a system foranalyzing video signals generated by an imaging modality iscontemplated. The system may include a video signal input port to whicha signal output of the imaging modality being can be connected.Additionally, there may be a central processor that includes an analoginput module, a signal analysis module, and a data communicationsmodule. The analog input module may be connected to the video signalinput port. A plurality of video signal parameters may be measurablefrom the video signal by the signal analysis module. Additionally, thevideo signal parameters may correspond to a first subset of displaydevice coordination values for the imaging modality. The system may alsoinclude a data output port that is linked to the data communicationsmodule of the central processor. The data output port may also beconnectable to an external device to which the measured video signalparameters are transferred.

In another embodiment of the present invention, there is provided amethod for display device management. The method may begin with a stepof receiving a video signal from an imaging modality. The video signalmay be defined by a plurality of signal parameters corresponding todisplay device coordination values. The method may then continue with astep of measuring a subset of the signal parameters from the receivedvideo signal. The measured subset of the signal parameters maycorrespond to a first subset of display device coordination values. Themethod may further include the step of deriving a second subset ofdisplay device coordination values from the measured signal parameter.The method include transferring the first and second subset of thedisplay device coordination values to a display device managementsystem.

The present invention will be best understood by reference to thefollowing detailed description when read in conjunction with theaccompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

These and other features and advantages of the various embodimentsdisclosed herein will be better understood with respect to the followingdescription and drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating various components of the systemfor analyzing video signals generated by an imaging modality inaccordance with one embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating the pin outs of a D-Subminiatureconnector utilized in one embodiment of the system for analyzing videosignals;

FIG. 3 is a waveform plot of an exemplary video signal, and illustratesthe various parameters thereof including horizontal and vertical sync,horizontal and vertical front porch, and horizontal and vertical backporch;

FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating another aspect of the system foranalyzing video signals including a general-purpose computer system anda remotely located display device management system;

FIG. 5 is a screen shot of an exemplary display device order form asshown to a user prior to placing an order for a new display;

FIG. 6 is a screen shot of an management interface viewable by thedisplay device management system in accordance with one embodiment ofthe present invention;

FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing one aspect of the system foranalyzing video signals in accordance with one embodiment;

FIG. 8 is a frontal perspective view of the system for analyzing videosignals with a top cover thereof removed and showing its varioushardware components;

FIG. 9 is wiring diagram illustrating the interfacing of a DVI-Dconnector to a DB-9 connector to link incompatible wiring configurationsin the system for analyzing video signals; and

FIG. 10 is a flowchart illustrating the steps of a method for displaydevice management.

Common reference numerals are used throughout the drawings and thedetailed description to indicate the same elements.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The detailed description set forth below in connection with the appendeddrawings is intended as a description of the presently preferredembodiment of the invention, and is not intended to represent the onlyform in which the present invention may be developed or utilized. Thedescription sets forth the functions of the invention in connection withthe illustrated embodiment. It is to be understood, however, that thesame or equivalent functions may be accomplished by differentembodiments that are also intended to be encompassed within the scope ofthe invention. It is further understood that the use of relational termssuch as first and second and the like are used solely to distinguish onefrom another entity without necessarily requiring or implying any actualsuch relationship or order between such entities.

With reference to the block diagram of FIG. 1, one embodiment of thepresent invention contemplates a system 10 for analyzing signalsgenerated by an imaging modality 12. In further detail, the system 10includes a signal analysis unit 14 that is interconnected to the imagingmodality 12. By way of example only and not limitation, the imagingmodality 12 may be a Computed Tomography (CT) device, a MagneticResonance Imaging (MRI) device, a catheterization imaging device, aComputed Radiography (CR) device, a Positron Emission Tomography (PET)device and other nuclear medicine diagnostic systems, or an ultrasounddevice.

The imaging modality 12 is understood to generate video signalsrepresentative of medical diagnostic information specific thereto, andare defined by various video signal parameters as will be described infurther detail below. The video signal parameters are understood to beparticular to the imaging modality 12, and a similarly configured orcoordinated display device is needed to display the underlying videoinformation properly. It will be appreciated by those having ordinaryskill in the art that the imaging modality 12 need not be limited to theforegoing medical devices, and any other imaging modality known in theart may be provided for the various embodiments of the presentinvention.

In one embodiment, the imaging modality 12 may be connected to thesignal analysis unit 14 in one of two ways. Some imaging modalities 12have a first type of output module 16 comprising five separate outputlines 18 corresponding to a red signal output 18 a, a green signaloutput 18 b, a blue signal output 18 c, a horizontal sync (Hsync) output18 d, and a vertical sync (Vsync) output 18 e. Each of the separateoutput lines 18 a-e may be carried by an individual cable. In somecases, the imaging modality 12 may have less than the five separateoutput lines 18, and the individual signals may be combined into acomposite signal. In order to receive inputs from such an imagingmodality 12, the signal analysis unit 14 may include a corresponding setof first input ports 20 a-e, with the output lines 18 a-e beingconnectible thereto. As will be described in further detail below, thefirst input ports 20 a-e are BNC (Bayonet Neill Concelman) connectors.Alternative imaging modalities 12 are understood to have a second typeof output module 22 with a single output line 24 having multiplepinouts. Referring to FIG. 2, the second output module 22 includes aD-subminiature type connector 25, also known as a VGA connector.According to widely known standards, the first pin or line 25 acorresponds to a red signal output 24 a, the second pin or line 25 bcorrespond to a green signal output 24 b, the fourth pin or line 25 ccorresponds to a blue signal output 24 c, the thirteenth pin or line 25d corresponds to a horizontal sync output 24 d, and the fourteenth pinor line 25 e corresponds to a vertical sync output 24 e. The output line24, which has a matching adapter, is connectible to the second inputport 26. It will be recognized that while two types of output modules16, 22 have been shown together in the imaging modality 12, typicallyonly one type of output is provided. Thus, only one of the first orsecond input ports 20, 22 need be connected to analyze a single imagingmodality 12.

The first input ports 20 and the second input port 26 are electricallyconnected to a central processor 28, specifically, to an analog inputmodule 30 thereof. According to one embodiment of the present invention,the central processor 28 is a specialized video processingsystem-on-chip integrated circuit (SOIC) that can be programmed toperform a variety of discrete time signal processing (DSP) operations.One suitable device is the PW328 integrated circuit from PixelWorks ofTualatin, Oreg. However, it will be recognized that any other suitablevideo processing IC known in the art may be readily substituted. Theanalog input module 30 receives the signals from the first and secondinput ports 20, 26 as generated by the imaging modality 12, andconverted to a digital signal by an on-board analog to digital converter32 for processing by a signal analysis module 34 of the centralprocessor 28. Additionally, as will be described in further detailbelow, a communications link may be established with external devicesvia a data communications module 36 of the central processor 28.

While reference will be made to the analog input module 30, the signalanalysis module 34, and the data communications module 36, it is to beunderstood that such terms refer to functional divisions of the centralprocessor 28 that are implemented with suitable programming, and notnecessarily the specific hardware components thereof. In this regard, itwill be recognized that typical video processing ICs such as the centralprocessor 28 include hardware components such as input ports,analog-to-digital converters, a central processing unit (CPU) forexecuting the programmed instructions, various registers and buffers,and an universal asynchronous receiver transmitter (UART) for externalcommunications, among others. Additionally, such video processing IC mayalso include specialized output ports for driving a variety of displaypanels.

The programmed instructions executed by the central processor 28 as partof the steps in a method contemplated in one embodiment of the presentinvention may be stored in a boot sector flash memory device 38. Anysuitable flash memory module may be utilized, such as the AM29LV160Dfrom Advanced Micro Devices (AMD) of Sunnyvale, Calif. It is understoodthat the boot sector flash memory device 38 is pre-programmed, and oncedeployed, it is set to be read-only. Additional instructions may beprovided in another boot sector flash memory device that is attachableto an expander socket 40, if necessary.

With reference to the flowchart of FIG. 10, another embodiment of thepresent invention contemplates a method for display device management.The method begins with a step 200 of receiving the video signal from theimaging modality 12 through the above-described first and second inputports 20, 26.

The digitized signal from the analog-to-digital converter 32 may betemporarily stored in a random access memory module 42 connected to thecentral processor 28 for subsequent analysis. In further detail, thememory module 42 includes one or more address lines 44, data lines 46,and control lines 48, which are utilized to store specific data to aspecific memory addresses at a specific instruction cycle. The memorymodule 42 is understood to be a conventional synchronous dynamic randomaccess memory (SDRAM) device.

As briefly indicated above, the signal analysis module 34 measurescertain parameters of the video signal received from the imagingmodality. More particularly, in step 210, the method continues withmeasuring the video signal parameters. Among the parameters measuredinclude the horizontal resolution and frequency, and the verticalresolution and frequency. It is understood that horizontal resolutionrefers to the number of lines across the display field from one verticaledge to the other, while vertical resolution refers to the number oflines down the display field from one horizontal edge to the other.Furthermore, horizontal frequency refers to the rate at which eachhorizontal line is scanned, and represents the number of horizontallines displayed per second. Vertical frequency refers to the rate atwhich the scan line is repositioned from the bottom of the screen to thetop of the screen, that is, the refresh rate of every field after havingscanned each horizontal line thereof.

The waveform plots of FIG. 3 illustrate an exemplary video signalagainst time, and include color component signals 52, a horizontal syncsignal 54, and a vertical sync signal 56. All of the display informationis set forth in the color component signals 52, specifically in anactive video region 58. Although only one plot is shown, it is to beunderstood that there are separate waveforms for each color component ofred, green, and blue. It is also to be understood, however, that thecolor components as well as the horizontal sync signal 54 and thevertical sync signal 56 may be variously combined into differentcomposite signals, depending upon the particularities of the imagingmodality 12. The horizontal resolution can be determined from themeasured period of the active video signal, and the horizontal frequencyis the inverse of the time period between the beginning and end of theactive video region 58. The vertical resolution can be determined bycounting the number of horizontal active video regions 58 betweensuccessive vertical sync pulses 60, while the vertical frequency is theinverse of the time period between successive vertical sync pulses 60.Once these measurements are taken, they may be stored in the memorymodule 42.

It is contemplated that the aforementioned measured video signalparameters correspond to a subset of display device coordination values,or values that must be programmed into a display device for the correctand compatible display of the video signal thereby. For the most part,the term “measured video signal parameters” is utilized interchangeablyherein with the term “display device coordination values” because bothgenerally refer to the parameters synchronized between the displaydevice and the imaging modality 12. Specific references to the measuredvideo signal parameters as above are in the context of the measurementsbeing made by the signal analysis module 34.

In addition to the measured video signal parameters, above, the videosignal 50 is also defined by additional parameters that are understoodto comprise another subset of display device coordination values. Themethod in accordance with one embodiment of the present inventioncontinues with a step 220 of deriving the additional display devicecoordination values.

With further particularity, the horizontal sync signal 54 is defined bya horizontal front porch 62, a horizontal sync pulse 64, and ahorizontal back porch 66. The horizontal front porch 62 is defined asthe time between the end of the active video region 58 of the previouscycle and the leading edge of the horizontal sync pulse 64. Thehorizontal back porch 66 is defined as the time between the trailingedge of the horizontal sync pulse 64 and the beginning of the nextactive video region 58. The vertical sync signal 56 is understood to besimilarly defined by a vertical front porch 68, the vertical sync pulse60 with a pulse width, and a vertical back porch 70. The vertical frontporch 68 is the time period between the end of the previous active videoregion 58 and the leading edge of the vertical sync pulse, while thevertical back porch 70 is the time period between the trailing edge ofthe vertical sync pulse 60 and the leading edge of the subsequenthorizontal sync pulse 64.

According to one embodiment of the present invention, the horizontalsync pulse 64, the horizontal front porch 62, the horizontal back porch66, the vertical sync pulse 60, the vertical front porch 68, and thevertical back porch 70 are derived from the measured video signalparameters of the video signal 50. The signal analysis module 34 iscontemplated to derive these values. The horizontal back porch 66, thehorizontal sync pulse 64, and the horizontal back porch 66 are bydefault assumed to be the inverse of the horizontal frequency divided bya hundred, the quotient thereof multiplied by twenty, and the productthereof divided by 3:

$\frac{\left( {\left( {\frac{1}{{Vertical}\mspace{14mu} {Frequency}\mspace{14mu} \left( {{in}\mspace{14mu} {MHz}} \right)}/100} \right) \times 20} \right)}{3}$

The vertical front porch 68, the vertical sync pulse 60, and thevertical back porch 70 are by default assumed to be the verticalresolution multiplied by the inverse of the horizontal frequency, theproduct thereof being subtracted from the inverse of the verticalfrequency, the difference thereof being divided by 3:

$\frac{\begin{pmatrix}{\left( \frac{1}{{Vertical}\mspace{14mu} {Frequency}\mspace{14mu} \left( {{in}\mspace{14mu} {KHz}} \right)} \right) -} \\\left( {{Vertical}\mspace{14mu} {Resolution} \times \left( \frac{1}{{Horizontal}\mspace{14mu} {Frequency}\mspace{14mu} \left( {{in}\mspace{14mu} {KHz}} \right)} \right)} \right)\end{pmatrix}}{3}$

The foregoing values may be derived by the central processor 28 and thenstored in the random access memory module 42 for subsequent retrievaland use. Alternatively, a lookup table of pre-calculated video signalparameters, to which the measured video signal parameters are indexed,may be utilized to derive the remainder of the display devicecoordination values. The lookup table may be stored in the boot sectorflash memory device 38.

As indicated above and as shown in FIG. 1, the central processor 28includes the on-board data communications module 36 for exchanging datawith external devices. In one contemplated embodiment, the datacommunications module 36 is a serial UART transceiver compatible withthe RS-232 standard, and includes a single transmit line 72 and a singlereceive line 74. The transmit line 74 and receive lines 76 are, in turn,connected to an RS-232 to Universal Serial Bus (USB) converter 76 thatincludes a USB port 78. As will be readily recognized, the RS-232 toUniversal Serial Bus (USB) converter 76 essentially carries the RS-232over standard USB signals, and a software driver on the receiving enddecodes and processes the extracted RS-232 signals. The converter 76provides a number of USB ports 78, the mechanical details of theconnectors for which will be discussed more fully below.

The USB ports 78 are connectable to an external device for the transferof the display device coordination values. One embodiment of the presentinvention includes a USB external memory card reader 80 that receives aflash memory card 82. Accordingly, in step 225, the display devicecoordination values are stored in the flash memory card 82. In anotherembodiment, the USB port 78 on the converter 76 is connected to anexternally accessible USB port 82.

With reference to the block diagram of FIG. 4, the signal analysis unit14 is connected to a general-purpose computer system 86 over a USBinterlink 88, and a data communications link may be established betweenthe same. By way of example only and not of limitation, thegeneral-purpose computer system 86 includes a system unit 90, a monitor92, a mouse input device 94, and a keyboard input device 96. The systemunit 90 may utilize any operating system having a graphical userinterface (GUI), such as WINDOWS from Microsoft Corporation of Redmond,Wash., MACOS from Apple, Inc. of Cupertino, Calif., various versions ofUNIX with the X-Windows windowing system, and so forth. The system unit90 executes one or more computer programs, with the results thereofbeing displayed on the monitor 92. Generally, the operating system andthe computer programs are tangibly embodied in a computer-readablemedium, e.g. one or more of the fixed and/or removable data storagedevices. The computer programs comprise instructions that, when read andexecuted, cause the performance of the steps in accordance with oneembodiment of the present invention. The computer system 86 representsonly one exemplary apparatus suitable for implementing aspects of thepresent invention. As such, the computer system 86 may have manydifferent configurations and architectures. Any such configuration orarchitecture may be readily substituted without departing from the scopeof the present invention.

It is expressly contemplated that the system unit has a networkinterface 94 to connect to a display device management system 96 overthe Internet 98. The display device coordination values transferred fromthe signal analysis unit 14 to the general-purpose computer system 86are transmitted to the display device management system 96 for furtheraction in accordance with a step 230 of the method per one embodiment ofthe present invention.

Referring to the exemplary screenshot of FIG. 5, the user is presentedwith a display device order form 100 to be filled out in order tofacilitate processing by the display device management system 96 beforetransferring the display device coordination values to the same. Theexemplary display device order form 100 includes a hospital informationblock 102 in which the name, address, phone, fax, and e-mail of thehospital that owns the imaging modality 12 is entered. A contact block104 is also included, where the details of a particular individualresponsible for the management of the displays for the imaging modality12 are entered, including name, phone numbers, fax numbers, and e-mail.The display device order form 100 also solicits details about thedisplay device being replaced in a monitor information block 106, whichincludes the manufacturer, the model number the part number, and thesize. Connection details such as the number and type of cables connectedfrom the imaging modality 12 to the signal analysis unit 14 for theanalysis are specified, and whether the display device is monochrome orcolor. Additionally, the display device order form 100 includes amodality information block 108 in which details regarding the imagingmodality 12 such as the type, manufacturer, and model identification areentered, and an order information block 110 for providing sales datasuch as purchase order number, internal reference number, shippingmethods, and so forth.

While the specifics of the types of information entered into the displaydevice order form 100 are described, it is by way of example only andnot of limitation. Other types of information may be requested on thedisplay device order form 100.

The transfer of the display device coordination values and theinformation entered into the display device order form 100 may proceedin any number of ways. For example, the general-purpose computer system86 may establish a direct link to a corresponding application running onthe display device management system 96 in a client-server relationship.Alternatively, the aforementioned data may be encapsulated into a file,and transferred to the display device management system 96 overelectronic mail. Those having ordinary skill in the art will recognizethat other data transfer modalities may also be substituted. It isadditionally contemplated that prior to the transmission, the displaydevice coordination values may be encrypted with any one of well-knowndata encryption algorithms. Upon receipt by the display devicemanagement system 96, it is understood that such encrypted values aredecrypted prior to display.

The information entered into the display device order form 100 iscombined with the display device coordination values for transmission tothe display device management system 96. As shown in the FIG. 6, thereceived data is formatted and displayed in an exemplary managementinterface 112. In particular, the measured video display parameters areshown in a table 114, while the information entered into the displaydevice order form 100 is listed in an order information block 116. Basedupon the information on the management interface 112, a technician mayproperly program a replacement device with the display devicecoordination values in accordance with an optional step 240, and shipthe same to the customer originating the order.

Referring again to the block diagram of FIG. 1, and additionally to theperspective views of an exemplary embodiment of the signal analysis unit14 shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, the various electronics components andconnectors described above are enclosed in a housing 118. Moreparticularly, the housing 118 has a rectangular configuration defined byan upper housing 120 and a lower housing 122 in an interlockingrelationship. The upper housing 120 defines the left and right sides 124a, 124 b, respectively, of the housing 118, as well as the rear face 125thereof. The lower housing 122, on the other hand, defines a front face126 of the housing 118. Attached to the lower housing 122 is a printedcircuit board 128 that has mounted thereon the above-describedelectronic components including the central processor 28, the bootsector flash memory device 38, the memory module 42, among others. TheBNC connectors of the first input ports 20 a-e are mounted to theprinted circuit board 128, and extend from the front face 126.Similarly, the VGA connector of the second input port 26 is likewisemounted to the printed circuit board 128. The VGA connector is disposedon the front face 126 for simplified access thereto.

The front face 126 also includes a power switch 130 for turning on andturning off the signal analysis unit 14. In further detail, the powerswitch 130 is connected to a power supply circuit 132 that regulates theincoming power signal from a power socket 134 disposed on the rear face125 of the housing 118. It is contemplated that conventional alternatingcurrent (AC) power is supplied through the power socket 134, which is a110V three prong connector. The AC power signal is then converted to adirect current signal by the power supply circuit 132 to power thevarious devices on the printed circuit board 128. Those having ordinaryskill in the art will readily recognize that any one of numerous powersupply circuits known in the art may be utilized in the signal analysisunit 14. A set of light emitting diodes (LEDs) 135 are attached to thefront face 126 to indicate the power and operational status of thesignal analysis unit 14.

The analysis of the video signal from the imaging modality 12 may beinitiated with a pushbutton selector switch 129, which is tied to one ofthe inputs of the central processor 28. When the selector switch 129 isactivated, the input to the central processor 28 initiates the executionof the programmed instructions corresponding to the steps of the methodfor display device management. By way of example, the sequence of usingthe video analysis system 10 may begin with powering on the signalanalysis unit 14. After confirming the active state as displayed by theLEDs 135, the imaging modality 12 is connected to the input ports 20,26. The selector switch 129 is pressed until all the measurements havebeen completed, at which point the LEDs 135 may flash to indicatecompletion. The signal analysis unit 14 may then be powered down andconnected to the general-purpose computer system 86 as described aboveto begin transferring the display device coordination values.

Mounted to the upper housing 120 is the RS-232 to USB converter 76,which is connected to the data communications module 36 of the centralprocessor 28. As shown in the wiring diagram of FIG. 9, the connectorinterface 136 to the central processor 28 may be of the DVI-D type.Accordingly, there may be a secondary DB-9 adapter 138 attachable to theRS-232 to USB converter 76. In this regard, a thirteenth pin 140 and atwelfth pin 142 of the DVI-D connector interface 136 are connected tothe third and second pins 144, 146, respectively, of the DB-9 adapter138. A fifteenth pin 148 of the DVI-D connector interface 136 and afifth pin 150 are understood to be designated ground, and are thereforeconnected. The USB port 84 is connected to the RS-232 to USB converter76, and mounted to the left side 124 a of the upper housing 120 to beaccessible therefrom. It is contemplated that the USB-end of the RS-232to USB converter 76 is a type “A” connector, and the USB port 84 is atype “B” connector. A USB connector on the general-purpose computersystem 86 may be a type “A” connector. Notwithstanding the specificconnector types noted herein, it will be recognized that any suitableconnector type may be substituted.

The particulars shown herein are by way of example and for purposes ofillustrative discussion of the embodiments of the present invention onlyand are presented in the cause of providing what is believed to be themost useful and readily understood description of the principles andconceptual aspects of the present invention. In this regard, no attemptis made to show details of the present invention with more particularitythan is necessary for the fundamental understanding of the presentinvention, the description taken with the drawings making apparent tothose skilled in the art how the several forms of the present inventionmay be embodied in practice.

What is claimed is:
 1. A system for analyzing video signals generated byan imaging modality, the system comprising: a video signal input port, asignal output of the imaging modality being connectible thereto; acentral processor including an analog input module connected to thevideo signal input port, a signal analysis module, and a datacommunications module, a plurality of video signal parameters beingmeasurable from the video signal by the signal analysis module andcorresponding to a first subset of display device coordination valuesfor the imaging modality; and a data output port linked to the datacommunications module of the central processor, the data output portbeing connectable to an external device to which the measured videosignal parameters are transferred.
 2. The system of claim 1, wherein aone of the plurality of measured video signal parameters is selectedfrom the group consisting of: horizontal frequency, horizontalresolution, vertical frequency, or vertical resolution.
 3. The system ofclaim 1, wherein the video signal input port has a plurality of signallines at least corresponding to a green signal line, a red signal line,a blue signal line, a vertical sync line, and a horizontal sync line. 4.The system of claim 3, wherein the video signal input port is a VideoGraphics Array (VGA) connector interface including the signal lines. 5.The system of claim 3, wherein the video signal input port is comprisedof a plurality of BNC connectors each corresponding to the signal lines.6. The system of claim 10, wherein the signal analysis module derives asecond subset of display device coordination values for the imagingmodality from the measured video signal parameters, the second subset ofdisplay device coordination values being transferable to the externaldevice through the data output port.
 7. The system of claim 1, furthercomprising: a memory module coupled to the central processor, themeasured video signal parameters being temporarily stored therein. 8.The system of claim 1, wherein the external device is a removable memorycard connectible to the data output port over a Universal Serial Bus(USB) memory card reader.
 9. The system of claim 1, wherein the externaldevice is a general-purpose computer system having a user interface anda network interface.
 10. The system of claim 9, further comprising: aremotely located display device management system in communication withthe general-purpose computer system over the network interface.
 11. Thesystem of claim 10, wherein the user interface of the general-purposecomputer system includes a display device order form, informationentered therein being appended to the measure video signal parameterstransmitted to the display device management system.
 12. The system ofclaim 9, wherein the data output port is a Universal Serial Bus (USB)interface to the general-purpose computer system.
 13. A method fordisplay device management, the method comprising: receiving a videosignal from an imaging modality, the video signal being defined by aplurality of signal parameters corresponding to display devicecoordination values; measuring from the received video signal a subsetof the signal parameters corresponding to a first subset of displaydevice coordination values; deriving a second subset of display devicecoordination values from the measured signal parameters; andtransferring the first and second subset of the display devicecoordination values to a display device management system.
 14. Themethod of claim 13, wherein the video signal input is comprised at leastof a green signal line, a red signal line, a blue signal line, avertical sync line, and a horizontal sync line.
 15. The method of claim13, wherein a one of the signal parameters is selected from a groupconsisting of: horizontal frequency, horizontal resolution, verticalfrequency, or vertical resolution.
 16. The method of claim 13, wherein aone of the second subset of display device coordination values isselected from a group consisting of: horizontal sync frequency, verticalsync frequency, horizontal front porch, horizontal back porch, verticalfront porch, or vertical back porch.
 17. The method of claim 13, whereinthe second subset of display device coordination values are retrievedfrom a look-up table based upon the first subset of display devicecoordination values.
 18. The method of claim 13, further comprising:storing the measured signal parameters to a removable memory device. 19.The method of claim 13, further comprising: programming a display devicewith the first and second subsets of display device coordination values,the programmed display device being capable of cooperating with theimaging modality to display the video signal thereon.
 20. The method ofclaim 13 further comprising: encrypting the measured signal parametersprior to the transfer to the display device management system; anddecoding the measured signal parameters upon receipt by the displaydevice management system.
 21. The method of claim 13, wherein the stepof transferring the measured signal parameters includes: establishing alocal data communications link to a general-purpose computer system;transmitting the measured signal parameters to the general-purposecomputer system over the local data communications link;
 22. The methodof claim 21 wherein the local data communications link is a UniversalSerial Bus (USB) connection.